Dalhousie University. Faculty of Science. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Corporate body (Dalhousie University)

Dalhousie University. Faculty of Science. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

• Dalhousie University. Faculty of Science. Department of Earth Sciences (1992-2019)
• Dalhousie University. Faculty of Arts and Science. Department of Geology (1906-1992)
• Dalhousie College and University. Faculty of Pure and Applied Science. Department of Geology and Mineralogy (1902-1906)

1902-

The Department of Earth Sciences was established in 1992, replacing the former Department of Geology and reflecting the inclusion of geophysics, which was formerly taught within the Department of Physics. Although classes in mineralogy were taught alongside chemistry from Dalhousie's beginnings, in 1879 the Rev. David Honeyman was appointed—part-time and unpaid—as the first Professor of Geology, Paleontology and Mineralogy. He played a significant role in establishing the college's Department of Science, which within a year became a Faculty of Science. However, when Honeyman left in 1883, geology classes went with him and, shortly after that, the nascent BSc course was suspended. Once again, a single course of lectures in mineralogy was taught by George Lawson alongside chemistry. In 1896 Ebenezer McKay succeeded Lawson as Professor of Chemistry and Mineralogy and in 1902 Joseph Woodman was appointed the first Head of Geology and Mineralogy, which remained a one-professor department for another half-century. More recently, in 2019 the Environmental Science program was merged into the Department of Earth Sciences, resulting in another name change and broadening the department's range of courses and degrees offered.

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences is located in the Life Sciences Centre on Dalhousie's Studley Campus.

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers courses of study leading to both BSc and BA degrees in either Earth Sciences or Environmental Sciences, as well MSc and PhD programs in a variety of fields. The department supports a dynamic and active research community, including the following laboratories: Dalhousie Geodynamics Group Experimental High Pressure Geological Research Laboratory; Facility for Stream Chemistry and Hydrology; Fission-Track Thermochronology Laboratory; Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-OES) Laboratory; Marine Core Storage and Analysis Facility; Patterns Numerical and Analogue Modelling Laboratory; Seismic Analysis and Modelling Laboratory; Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclide Facility; Robert M. MacKay Electron Microprobe Laboratory (EMPA laboratory); and (U-Th)/He Laboratory.

The department provides a number of services to students, staff, faculty and the wider community, including laser ablation; electron microprobe analysis; geochemical analysis; and printing and laminating.

The basic statute relating to Dalhousie University is Chapter 24 of the Acts of 1863. This statute replaced earlier statutes, and the 1863 statute itself has been amended and supplemented several times over the years. The provisions of these various statutes provide for the establishment and regulation of the university, the membership of the Board of Governors and its rights and powers, the authority of senate for the internal regulation of the university (subject to the approval of the board), and various other matters.

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in within the Faculty of Science. It is administered by a limited term chair appointed from its faculty. In 2021 there are 24 professors and instructors, supported by 15 technical and administrative staff members, cross-appointed faculty and adjunct professors from other institutions.

Dalhousie University. Faculty of Science (1988-)

Douglas, George Vibert (1892-1958)

Dawson Geology Society (1932-)

McIntosh, Donald Sutherland (1862-1934)